Electric circuit



Oct- 1955 R. E. LOUDON 2,719,938

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT Filed March 25. 1952 IN V EN TOR,

o LINN" Roberf E. Loudon ATTORNEY.

United States Patent ELECTRIC CIRCUIT Robert E. London, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Clary Corporation, a corporation of California Application March 25, 1952, Serial No. 278,516

5 Claims. (Cl. 317140) This invention relates to electrical counting, selecting or programming systems wherein different conditions of electrical devices are set up upon transmission to the system of dilferent numbers of electrical impulses. For example, such a system may be used to count a plurality of electrical impulses. On the other hand, the system may be used to select a particular circuit upon reception of pro-associated numbers of impulses, or the system may be used as a programming arrangement wherein different circuits are successively activated upon reception of successive pulses.

Such systems are useful in many applications, such as remote control apparatus, automatic telephone systems, electrical counting and computing systems, alarm systems, etc.

Stepping switches are often used for counting and programming purposes. However, such switches are generally limited in speed and are subject to considerable mechanical wear due to relative movement of parts, beside requiring a relatively large amount of current for operation due to the movement of their various mechanical parts.

On the other hand, relay counting chains have been used heretofore with a certain amount of success. Such relay chains of which applicant is aware generally comprise one counting relay for each sequential condition of the system and, in addition, certain priming windings, relays or other components necessary to condition successive ones of the counting relays for energization.

It therefore becomes one object of the present invention to obviate the above-noted disadvantages of previous counting relay chains.

Another object is to enable use of simple, single wind ing relays in a counting relay chain.

Another object is to reduce the number of components, such as relays, in a counting relay chain.

Another object is to eliminate the necessity of priming relays or priming relay windings in a counting relay chain.

A further object is to improve the reliability of a counting relay chain.

A further object is to obviate the necessity of applying standby current to the relay circuit when in an initial counting condition.

A further object is to provide a relay chain having a high degree of flexibility insofar as its adaptation to different circuit arrangements is concerned.

A further object is to provide a relay chain for controlling a number of circuits wherein the chain is effec tive, first, to select a circuit and, thereafter, to apply power to the selected circuit.

The manner in which the above and other objects of the invention are accomplished will be readily understood upon reference to the following specification, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein the figure illustrates a diagram of a circuit embodying a preferred form of the invention.

Hereafter, it is intended that the term counting relay 'ice chain or similar terminology define a relay chain whose relays are sequentially energized upon transmission of successive pulses to the chain regardless of the purpose to which the chain is applied, i. e., for counting, programming, selecting, etc.

The figure illustrates a counting chain arranged as a programming system for the purpose of sequentially energizing six operating circuits generally indicated at 11-16. The latter circuits may be operable independently, or suitably interconnected. For example, the counting chain may be applied to the scanning system for the electronic counting apparatus disclosed and claimed in the copending Lindesmith application, Serial No. 259,568, filed December 3, 1951, for the purpose of sequentially scanning diiierent ones of a series of electronic counter units and sequentially transmitting the information thus found to a common computing device.

Six counting relays 17-22, inclusive, are provided for successively selecting and energizing respective ones of the operating circuits.

A trigger relay 122 is provided for initiating operation of the counting chain and for resetting the same to its normal illustrated condition subsequent to energization of the last operating circuit 16.

A self-oscillating pulse generator including a pulsing relay 23 is located in the circuit for the purpose of emitting control pulses to cause energization of the different counting relays 17-22. The pulse generator also cooperates with a polarity switching relay 24 which is effective to alternately apply potentials of opposite polarities to the windings of the counting relays which immediately succeed energized relays. Thus, the relay 24 forms part of the arrangement for successively energizing sequentially arranged ones of the relays and at the same time renders all but the selected counting relay deenergized.

The figure illustrates the relay chain in its normal reset position with all counting and control relays deenergized and with all of the operating circuits 11-16 dead. In this normal condition, a condenser 29 is held in charged condition, being connected in circuit with a plus supply line 39, break contacts 31 and 32 of the trigger relay 122, and a ground line 44, the break contacts 31 and 32 being connected to opposite sides of the condenser.

In order to initiate operation of the relay chain, a switch 26 is closed to discharge the condenser 29 through the coil of the first counting relay 17. For this purpose, the switch 26 is connected in circuit from ground, through the coil of relay 122 and resistance 27 to the plus supply line 30, thereby energizing the trigger relay 122. The relay 122 now locks in energized condition by virtue of its make contacts 28 which connect the ground side of the relay coil to ground. The trigger relay is held in energized condition throughout the entire counting operation. Accordingly, make contacts 35 apply the upper side of the condenser 29 directly to the upper side of the coil of relay 17, while make contacts 34 apply the lower side of condenser 29 to a line 36 which is connected to the lower side of the coil of relay 17 through make contacts 37 of the pulse relay 23.

Energization of trigger relay 122 also, through make contacts 38, applies a positive potential from supply line 3!) to a plus supply line 33 and line 33a to complete a circuit through break contacts 39 of relay 23, resistance 41 and the coil of this relay, to a ground line 40. Resistance 41 and a variable condenser 42 shunted across the latter coil, cooperate in a well known manner to control the frequency of operation or oscillation of the pulse relay 23. Adjustment of the condenser 42 will accordingly vary the frequency of operation of the relay. As the pulse relay 23 becomes energized, the make contacts 37 close to complete the circuit from the condenser 29 to the coil of relay 17 to enable the condenser to discharge through the latter coil and thus energize the relay.

Make contacts 43 of relay 17 now close to lock the relay 17 energized through a circuit extending from ground line 44, contacts 43, coil of relay 17, and now closed break contacts 45 of the second relay 18 to the plus supply line 33.

Since the pulse relay 23 is energized during energization of relay 17, ground potential is applied from ground line 50 through break contacts 51 of the now de-energized polarity switch 24 and through now closed make contacts 52 of relay 23 and line 52a to make contacts (like contacts 54 of coil 17) of all counting relays. Ground potential is therefore applied through contacts 54, coil of relay 18, break contacts 55 of now de-energized relay 19 to the ground line 44. Consequently, relay 18 will not, at this time, become energized.

As the pulse relay 23 de-energizes of its own accord, a circuit is completed from ground through its break contacts 56 to a common ground supply line 56a for the operating circuits. Make contacts 57 of relay 17, which is still locked in energized condition, transfer this ground potential to the operating circuit 11, thus completing a circuit through the latter to a plus supply line 90 to activate the latter operating circuit. The plus supply line 96 is connected to the supply line through make contacts 38 of trigger relay 122 and is thus energized during operation of the circuit.

Also, as the pulse relay 23 de-energizes, a circuit is established from plus supply line 33 through make contacts 59 of relay 17, polarity relay control line 70, break contacts 58 of pulse relay 23 and the coil of the polarity switching relay 24 to ground line 40, energizing the latter relay. Make contacts 60 now lock the relay 24 in energized condition through the now closed make contacts 59. Thus, make contacts 61 of the polarity switching relay close to apply positive potential from plus supply line 33 through resistor 62 to the make contacts 52 of pulse relay 23. Since the latter has now de-energized, this positive potential cannot be transmitted to any of the counting relays.

As the relay 23 becomes energized the second time, it will, through its break contacts 56, open the circuit through contacts 57 of relay 17 to disable the operating circuit 11. Also, as the pulse relay make contacts 52 again close they apply positive potential, now transmitted thereto from supply line 33, resistance 62 and make contacts 61 of the now energized polarity switch 24, to pulse supply line 63. Since make contacts 54 of the first counting relay 17 are still closed, a circuit will be established through these contacts, the coil of counting relay 18, and break contacts 55 of relay 19 to ground line 44, thereby energizing relay 18. Break contacts of the latter relay open to de-energize relay 17.

However, before make contacts 59 of the latter relay open, a new circuit is established through the polarity switch relay 24 to maintain the same energized even though the relay 17 becomes de-energized. For this purpose, make contacts 65 of the pulse relay 23 close upon the aforementioned second energization of the pulse relay to apply positive potential from the make contacts 61 of polarity switch 24 and line 61a to the lower end of the coil of relay 24, thereby completing the circuit therethrough to ground line 40.

it should be noted at this point that the value of condenser 29 is so chosen that when it is initially connected across the coil of relay 17, a sufficient amount of current will be drained oif to render the same ineffective to again actuate the same coil during subsequent operations of the pulse relay 23.

The second counting relay 13 becomes locked in energized position by its make contacts 66 which complete a circuit from the plus supply line 33, through the coil of the latter relay, and then through the now closed break contacts 55 of relay 19 to the ground line 44. The latter circuit will be completed shortly before make contacts 54 of the relay 17 open. Consequently, at this time relay 18 will stand in energized condition, and the remaining counting relays 17, 19, etc., will stand deenergized.

Since relay 18 is incapable of connecting the polarity switch control line 70 to the plus supply line 33, the only means now effective to retain the polarity switching relay 24 ener ized is the make contacts of the pulse relay which close shortly before the contacts 59 of relay 17 open, thereby completing a circuit from plus supply line 33, resistance 62, make contacts 61, line 610, contacts 65 and coil of relay 24 to ground line 40.

Relay 18, upon energizing, closes its make contacts 67 to establish a new circuit from the pulse supply line 63 through coil of relay 19 and now closed contacts 63 of relay 20 to the plus supply line 33, thereby requiring a ground potential to be applied to the pulse supply line 63 in order to energize the relay 19.

Make contacts 69 of relay 18 condition the operating circuit 12 for energization and the latter circuit is pleted as the pulse relay 23 de-energizes to close b contacts 56, and thus apply ground potential through Zine 56a and contacts 69.

During the second de-energization of the pulse relay 23, make contacts 65 thereof remove positive potential from the polarity switch relay 24, allowing the latter to deenergize, thereby causing its break contacts 51 to apply ground potential to the now open make contacts 52.

At this time the break contacts 58 of relay 23 establish a circuit from the polarity switch control line 79 to the polarity switch relay 24, but since no connection is now existent to the plus supply line 33, the polarity switch relay 24 will remain de-energized.

The third energization of pulse relay 23 again, through its break contacts 56, deactivates the operating circuit 12. Also, at this time make contacts 52 apply ground potential from ground line 50, contacts 51, line 61a, through line 52a, line 63 and now closed contacts 67 of relay 18 to complete a circuit through the coil of the third counting relay 19, now closed contacts 68 of relay 20, to the plus line 33, so as to energize relay 19. The latter locks in energized condition through its make contacts 72, which establish a circuit from ground line 44 to the upper end of its coil, and thence through contacts 68 to plus supply line 33.

As the pulse relay 23 again drops out, its contacts 56 complete a circuit through the now closed contacts 75 of now energized relay 19 to the operating circuit 13.

It will be noted that the relay 19 will, through its make contacts 76, apply positive potential from plus supply line 33 to the polarity switch control line 70 in the same manner as did the first counting relay 17. Therefore, as the pulse relay 23 de-energizes, this positive potential will be applied through the break contacts 58 to the coil of the polarity switching relay 24, energizing the latter. Contacts 61 of the latter close to apply a positive potential from plus supply line 33 to the now open pulse relay contacts 52 so that a positive potential will be applied to the line 63 upon subsequent energization of the pulse relay.

The foregoing cycle of events will continue through the remainder of the counting chain, the remaining relays 20, 21 and 22 requiring alternate positive and ground potentials to be applied to alternate ones of these relays to effect energization thereof. Such alternate potentials are obtained by the polarity switch relay 24 which operates to reverse the polarity on every second oscillation of the pulse relay.

It will be further noted that by virtue of the foregoing correlated operation of the pulse relay 23 and the various counting relays, the various operating circuits are first selected upon energization of the pulse relay and thereafter, upon de-energization of the pulse relay, power is applied to" the selected circuit through the pulse relay break contacts 56. Thus, the various counting relay contacts are closed prior to application of power to the operating circuits and the closing of the main power circuit for the operating circuits may be concentrated at the pulse relay contacts 56 where a suitable arc quenching device, such as condenser 123, is connected across the contacts.

As the final counting relay 22 is energized, its make contacts 77 connect the pulse supply line 63 through line 78 to the positive end of the coil of the trigger relay 122. Also, at this time the polarity switch relay 24 will be deenergized so that during the seventh oscillation of the pulse relay 23, its contacts 52 will apply ground potential from ground line 50, through contacts 51, line 61a, line 52a and line 63 to contacts 77 to effectively short out the trigger relay coil. As the latter relay drops out, positive potential is removed from the supply line 33 by make contacts 38 to arrest the continued operation of the pulse relay 23.

Accordingly, break contacts 31 and 32 of the trigger relay close, placing the condenser 29 between the plus supply line 30 and ground line 44 so as to charge the same in preparation for a subsequent initiation of operation of the chain.

In order to utilize the chain as a counting circuit, pulse relay contacts 39 and pulse relay condenser 42 would be removed and pulses of a positive nature to be counted would be applied to the pulse relay over a wire indicated by dotted line 80. In such case, the trigger relay 30 would be energized by momentarily closing normally open switch 26 prior to the counting operation, and each successive pulse received over line 80 would cause successive ones of the counting relays to become energized. Resetting of the chain at any time would be effected by momentarily closing a switch 81, thereby applying ground potential over line 73 to the upper end of the coil of relay 122 to effectively short out this coil and drop relay 122.

Obviously, the counting chain could be expanded to include any desired number of counting relays by duplicating the circuit connections found in connection with relays 17 to 22.

Having thus described the invention, what I desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A stepping relay system comprising the combination of a plurality of stepping relays arranged in succession, each having an energizing winding circuit, means for applying only the low potential side of a current source to a first side of each of alternate ones of said winding circuits, means for applying only the high potential side of said current source to a first side of each of the other of said winding circuits, each of said winding circuits except the first winding circuit in said succession including a set of normally open contacts closed by the next preceding winding circuit upon energization thereof, means for energizing said first winding circuit, a current reversing device eifective in one condition thereof to apply the low potential side of said current source to the opposite side of each of said winding circuits except said first winding circuit whereby to energize a said winding circuit Whose contacts are closed and whose first side is applied to the low potential side of said current source, said current reversing device being effective in another condition thereof to apply the high potential side of said current source to said opposite side of each of said winding circuits except said first winding circuit whereby to energize a said winding circuit whose contacts are closed and whose first side is applied to the high potential side of said current source, and means operable periodically and controlled by alternate ones of said relays upon energization thereof for changing said current reversing device from a first one of said conditions to a second, said last mentioned means being controlled by the other ones of said relays upon energization thereof for changing said current reversing device from said second condition to said first.

2. A stepping relay system: comprising thecombination of a plurality of stepping relays arranged in succession, each having an energizing winding circuit, means for applying only the low potential side of a current source to a first side of each of alternate ones of said winding circuits, means for applying only the high potential side of said current source to a first side of each of the other of said winding circuits, each of said winding circuits except the first winding circuit in said succession including a set of normally open contacts closed by the next preceding winding circuit upon energization thereof, each of said winding circuits except the last winding circuit in said succession including a second set of normally closed contacts; each of said second set of contacts being opened by the next succeeding relay upon energization thereof, means for energizing said first winding circuit, a current reversing device effective in one condition thereof to apply the low potential side of said current source to the opposite side of each of said winding circuits except said first winding circuit whereby to energize the winding circuit whose first set of contacts are closed and whose first side is applied to the low potential side of said current source and to deenergize the preceding winding circuit, said current reversing device being effective in another condition thereof to apply the high potential side of said current source to said opposite side of each of said winding circuits except said first winding circuit whereby to energize a winding circuit whose first set of contacts are closed and whose first side is applied to the high potential side of said current source and to deenergize the preceding winding circuit, and means operable periodically and controlled by alternate ones of said relays upon energization thereof for changing said current reversing device from a first of said conditions to the second, said last mentioned means being controlled by the other ones of said relays upon energization thereof for changing said current reversing device from said second condition to said first.

3. A stepping relay system comprising the combination of a plurality of stepping relays arranged in succession, each having an energizing winding circuit, means for applying only the low potential side of current source to a first side of each of alternate ones of said winding circuits, means for applying only the high potential side of said current source to a first side of each of the other of said winding circuits, each of said winding circuits except the first winding circuit in said succession including a set of normally open contacts closed by the next preceding winding circuit upon energization thereof, a locking circuit for each of said winding circuits operable to lock the samein energized condition, a second set of normally closed contacts in each of said winding circuits, each of said second set of contacts being opened by the next succeeding relay upon energization thereof whereby to release the respective said locking circuit; means for energizing said first winding circuit, a current reversing device effective in one condition thereof to apply the low potential side of said current source to the opposite side of each of said winding circuits except said first winding circuit whereby to energize the winding circuit whose first set of contacts are closed and whose first side is applied to the low potential side of said current source, said current reversing device being effective in another condition thereof to apply the high potential side of said current source to said opposite side of each of said winding circuits except said first winding circuit whereby to energize a winding circuit whose first set of contacts are closed and whose first side is applied to the high potential side of said current source and to deenergize the preceding winding circuit, and means operable periodically and controlled by alternate ones of said relays upon energization thereof for changing said current reversing device from a first of said conditions to a second, said last mentioned means being controlled by the other ones of said relays upon energization thereof for changing said current reversing device from said second condition to said first.

4. A stepping relay system comprising the combination of a plurality of stepping relays arranged in succession, each having an energizing winding circuit, means for applying only the low potential side of a current source to one side of each of alternate ones of said winding circuits, means for applying only the high potential side of said current source to one side of each of the other of said winding circuits, a polarity switching relay operable from one state to another, said polarity switching relay being operable in one state thereof to apply said low potential side of said current source to the opposite side of each of said winding circuits except said first Winding circuit and effective in the other state thereof to apply the high potential side of said current source to the opposite side of each of said winding circuits except said first Winding circuit, a repetitively operable switching device, means controlled by said switching device upon a first operation thereof for energizing said first winding circuit, and means controlled jointly by said switchingdevice upon each successive operation thereof and by an energized one of said winding circuits for causing operation of said polarity switching relay from one of said states thereof to the other, each of said winding circuits except said first winding circuit including a set of normally open contacts closed by the next preceding relay upon energization thereof.

5. A stepping relay system comprising the combination of a plurality of stepping relays arranged in succession, each having an energizing winding circuit, means for applying only the low potential side of a current source to one side of each of alternate ones of said winding circuits, means for applying only the high potential side of said current source to one side of each of the other of said winding circuits, a polarity switching relay operable from one state to another, said polarity switching relay being operable in one state thereof to apply said low potential side of said current source to the opposite side of each of said winding circuits except said first winding circuit and effective in the other state thereof to apply the high potential side of said current source to said opposite side of each of said winding circuits except said first winding circuit, a repetitively operable switching device, means controlled by said switching device upon a first operation thereof for energizing said first winding circuit, means controlled jointly by said switching device upon each successive operation thereof and by an energized one of said winding circuits for causing operation of said polarity switching relay from one of said states thereof to the other, each of said winding circuits except said first winding circuit including a set of normally open contacts closed by the next preceding relay upon energization thereof, and means responsive to energization of each of said winding circuits for de-energizing the preceding winding circuit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,451,489 Joel Oct. 19, 1948 2,563,824 Dunlap et a1. Aug. 14, 1951 2,574,904 Bellamy Nov. 13, 1951 2,590,879 McAlpine Apr. 1, 1952 

